City markets old train station

Published 10:44 pm, Wednesday, January 18, 2017

ALTON — A process started in 2013 to market the old train station finally resulted in the city completing a descriptive brochure that says owner UPRR may donate the building to a nonprofit.

“This is our first attempt at marketing the station pursuant to the memorandum of agreement executed with the project stakeholders,” said Greg Caffey, Alton director of development and housing. “Although this has been forthcoming for quite some time, we needed the review and approval of Union Pacific prior to releasing the document.”

The city posted the 8-page brochure on its website late Tuesday afternoon:

As part of the requirements for Alton to receive the federal, $13.85 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant for the Alton Regional Multi-Modal Transportation Center under construction, the city had two years during which to market the old station for sale.

The catch, though for a group or individual to obtain the building for $1 — as officials have said for years — is that the 1,602-square-foot structure must be removed from the site, 3400 College Ave.

The potential 501 (C) (3) recipient also would have to demolish the foundation and platform, accept the building “as is” and restore the site to satisfaction of owner Union Pacific Railroad, based in Omaha, Nebraska. The new owner also would “release and indemnify the UPRR from all liability and obligations, including any environmental issues,” it says.

While Union Pacific owns the property, it rents the facility to Amtrak as a passenger depot. In coming months, the new transportation center will open at the former Robert P. Wadlow Municipal Golf Course rendering the little, 89-year-old station unneeded.

The new brochure shows architectural drawings and describes the history, size and features of the one-story, rectangular brick building that opened in May 1928. Chicago and Alton Railroad originally owned the building, with Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad and UPPR its subsequent owners.

The process leading to the simple brochure took years, with the city soliciting research assistance from Alton Area Landmarks Association to help a consultant to compile the required report. AALA President Terry Sharp said at that time he and member Bill McKenzie delved into the station history through articles and photographs that ran in the then, Alton Evening Telegraph.

AALA plans to discuss status of the building at a forthcoming meeting, but has not set a date or location.

In May 2013, the city signed a memorandum of agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration, Illinois State Historic Preservation Agency, Illinois Department of Transportation and Union Pacific to develop a marketing plan and attempt to sell the building.

The agreement says the railroad wrote in a letter in February 2013 that, “due to safety concerns with the current location; it would like to either demolish the station structure or have the city relocate.”

It also says Alton would market the building with a preservation covenant, information on its historic and architectural significance of the structure, financial requirements any financial incentives available from the city for a minimum of 24 months after completing the marketing materials, unless someone buys it before that, and in consultation with the FRA, IDOT and railroad.

If someone buys the building, the agreement says he or she has up to 12 months to move it or the structure would be demolished at buyer’s expense. If the railroad does demolish the building, the city would document the structure in accordance with the Illinois Historic American Building Survey Standards and Guidelines, which eventually would be deposited in archives at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield.